Man was shot 4 times, twice in the head

Man was shot 4 times, twice in the head

A man killed inside a convenience store last week was shot four times, including twice in the head, according to the Hamilton County medical examiner's report.

Herbert Lee Strickland, 53, was inside the Big K store at 909 Dodson Ave. when a gunman clad in black shot him about 9:30 a.m. on May 19.

Strickland, who police said used his body to shield a woman inside the store, was hit in the back of the head, once in face, once in his left arm and once in his hip, according to the report.

Police have not released the type of gun used in the shooting.

Inside the Big K, a plastic jar sits on the counter showing a man in a suit wearing sunglasses and smiling. The name "Strick" is written in black magic marker on the jar.

Employees are trying to raise money to help the family pay for funeral expenses. Family members are burying Strickland today.

At least two clerks and one customer were inside the store at the time of the shooting. People at the store said Strickland was a regular and often purchased coffee and doughnuts.

Investigators have released video surveillance images of the gunman inside the store, hoping someone might be able to identify him. As of Thursday, Chattanooga police investigators had no new information on the case, and no arrests have been made.

Strickland's death marks the 11th homicide in Chattanooga and 29th shooting so far this year.

Strickland's daughter, Meco Siler, was killed Jan. 6, suffering 36 stab wounds to her neck and shoulder and a dozen cuts to her hands, the medical examiner's report found. A housekeeper found Siler's body in her room at the Country Hearth Suites on 20th Street in Chattanooga.

Police arrested Brandon Eugene Russell, 29, three days after the death on charges of felony murder and robbery.

Anyone with any information on Strickland's killing can contact Chattanooga police at 423-698-2525.